Seven of Swords
Affirmation
I hold myself to the highest ethical standards.
Symbolic Attributes
- Element:
- Arcana:Minor Arcana
- Suit:Swords
- Archetype:
- Numerology:7 (The Motive: imagination, inner work, psychology)
- Hebrew Alphabet:
Keywords
Description
A man in the act of carrying away five swords rapidly; the two others of the card remain stuck in the ground. A camp is close at hand.
Light Meaning
- Refusing to do something dishonest, even when there's no chance of ever being caught
- Handling a difficult situation with finesse
- Pointing out assumptions
- Acting ethically in public and in private
- Living a life that is beyond reproach
Shadow Meaning
- Stealing or lying
- Doing whatever you can get away with, simply because you can
- Looking for a way around consequences
- Justifying wicked behavior by focusing on the wickedness of others
- Failing to examine your own motives and prejudices
Questions to Ask Yourself
- •What assumptions am I making?
- •How well-defined is my sense of ethics?
- •How should I respond when I know others are breaking the rules?
Personal Meaning
Going solo, sneakiness, and dishonour. Shirking responsibility, and avoiding consequences for past actions. Be sure to keep your integrity, even when it appears as though you have no one else to answer to.
Going solo, sneakiness, and dishonour. Shirking responsibility, and avoiding consequences for past actions.
Sometimes going solo can be a good thing, but be wary of falling into sneakiness, and dishonour. Be sure to keep your integrity, even when it appears as though you have no one else to answer to.This card can also suggest that you are fleeing someone or something. Are you trying to shirk responsibilities or avoid consequences for past actions? Know that it is always best to face the inevitable. Giving in to sneakiness or avoidance will only make matters worse.
Personal Reversed Meaning
Avoid trying to get around facing the consequences of your actions. Be careful of the choices you make, for you run the risk of hurting someone or, at least, making your situation more difficult than it needs to be.
You have done everything you can to avoid having to face the effects of your dishonour. You have made poor choices that might have hurt someone, or at the least, made your situation more difficult than it might have been.
You are doing everything you can to avoid having to face the effects of your dishonour. You have made a poor choice that might have hurt someone, or at the least, has made your situation now more difficult than it might have been. Take a long, hard look at yourself and come to terms with who you have become.
Fortune Telling
- •Don't assume people around you are worthy of your trust
- •Ask for an accounting of where people have been, and what they've been doing
How to Interpret This Card in a Reading
A guide to deepening your understanding of Tarot symbolism.
Context is Key
No Tarot card exists in a vacuum. While the meanings above provide a foundation, the true significance of this card depends on where it lands in your spread. Is it in the past position, indicating a phase you are moving away from? Or is it in the outcome position, suggesting a potential future? Always consider the neighboring cards — they often tell a story that modifies or amplifies the message.
Trust Your Intuition
Traditional meanings are the starting point, but your intuition is the compass. When you look at the card imagery, what draws your eye first? A specific color, a symbol, or a facial expression might trigger a personal memory or feeling. That immediate reaction is often the most relevant message for your current situation, even if it differs from the standard definition.
Understanding Reversals
If this card appears reversed (upside down), don't fear it. Reversals often suggest an internalizing of the card's energy, a delay, or a need to revisit the lesson before moving forward. It can also indicate that the "shadow" aspects described above are currently more active, inviting you to bring them into the light for healing.
Connecting with the Element
Remember the suit this card belongs to. Wands speak to passion and action (Fire). Cups dive into emotions and relationships (Water). Swords navigate the mind and conflicts (Air). Pentacles ground us in the material world and resources (Earth). The Major Arcana represents larger life themes and soul lessons. Filtering the card's meaning through its elemental lens will give you a grounded, practical way to apply its wisdom to your life.